Oak placed two or three for her.
"They are quite easy enough for me."
So down she sat, and down sat he, the fire dancing in their faces, and upon the old furniture all a-sheenen Wi' long years o' handlen, that formed Oak's array of household possessions, which sent back a dancing reflection in reply.
It was very odd to these two persons, who knew each other passing well, that the mere circumstance of their meeting in a new place and in a new way should make them so awkward and constrained.
In the fields, or at her house, there had never been any embarrassment; but now that Oak had become the entertainer their lives seemed to be moved back again to the days when they were strangers.
"You'll think it strange that I have come, but — "
"O no; not at all."
"But I thought — Gabriel, I have been uneasy in the belief that I have offended you, and that you are going away on that account.
It grieved me very much and I couldn't help coming."
"Offended me!
As if you could do that, Bathsheba!"
"Haven't I?" she asked, gladly.
"But, what are you going away for else?"
"I am not going to emigrate, you know; I wasn't aware that you would wish me not to when I told 'ee or I shouldn't ha' thought of doing it." he said, simply.
"I have arranged for Little Weatherbury Farm and shall have it in my own hands at Lady-day.
You know I've had a share in it for some time.
Still, that wouldn't prevent my attending to your business as before, hadn't it been that things have been said about us."
"What?" said Bathsheba, in surprise.
"Things said about you and me!
What are they?"
"I cannot tell you."
"It would be wiser if you were to, I think.
You have played the part of mentor to me many times, and I don't see why you should fear to do it now."
"It is nothing that you have done, this time.
The top and tail o't is this — that I am sniffing about here, and waiting for poor Boldwood's farm, with a thought of getting you some day."
"Getting me!
What does that mean?"
"Marrying o' 'ee, in plain British.
You asked me to tell, so you mustn't blame me."
Bathsheba did not look quite so alarmed as if a cannon had been discharged by her ear, which was what Oak had expected.
"Marrying me!
I didn't know it was that you meant." she said, quietly.
"Such a thing as that is too absurd — too soon — to think of, by far!"
"Yes; of course, it is too absurd.
I don't desire any such thing; I should think that was plain enough by this time.
Surely, surely you be the last person in the world I think of marrying.
It is too absurd, as you say
"Too — s-s-soon" were the words I used."
"I must beg your pardon for correcting you, but you said, "too absurd," and so do I."
"I beg your pardon too! she returned, with tears in her eyes. ""Too soon" was what I said.
But it doesn't matter a bit — not at all-but I only meant, "too soon" Indeed, I didn't, Mr. Oak, and you must believe me!"
Gabriel looked her long in the face, but the firelight being faint there was not much to be seen.
"Bathsheba," he said, tenderly and in surprise, and coming closer: "if I only knew one thing — whether you would allow me to love you and win you, and marry you after all-if I only knew that!"
"But you never will know." she murmured.
"Why?"
"Because you never ask.
"Oh — Oh!" said Gabriel, with a low laugh of joyous- ness.
"My own dear — "
"You ought not to have sent me that harsh letter this morning." she interrupted.
"It shows you didn't care a bit about me, and were ready to desert me like all the rest of them!